Mid-season draftee Jack Hutchinson will be told to play to his strengths when he makes a dream debut just 11 days after arriving in the west, Eagles coach Adam Simpson says.
Hutchinson’s rise from country football at Wonthaggi last year, to Collingwood’s VFL program, then the WAFL Eagles and now AFL selection has been a stunning whirlwind.
But the 22-year-old showed AFL traits in the VFL and his five-goal haul to help inspire the WAFL Eagles to overcome Perth told Simpson he was ready to play against North Melbourne.
Remarkably, Hutchinson will take the field alongside West Coast’s two other mid-season draftees, Jai Culley and Ryan Maric, who went pick No.1 in 2022 and ’23, respectively.
“It’s the third time we’ve done it with Maric and Culley - they’re all playing together too,” Simpson said of the quick turnaround to an AFL debut.
“(Hutchinson’s) rise to senior footy, you think it’s quick, but he’s 22, so he’s done it the hard way not going through the academies and the normal process.
“I suppose that’s what the mid-season draft is all about, giving opportunity to guys who blossom a bit later.
“He handled the game on the weekend really well, hit the scoreboard for us, which was great at WAFL, but he did some other things off-ball that we really like.
“We won’t put too much expectation on him but get him in when he’s in form.”
Culley will also mark a major milestone in his AFL comeback 400 days since he ruptured his ACL in round eight last year.
The hard-working mid-forward was outstanding in the WAFL, racking up 30 disposals, seven tackles and kicking the match-winning goal.
“We’ll need him without Tim (Kelly) or Harley (Reid) … those type of players are hard to replace,” Simpson said.
“He was good to go after 10 months. The work ethic he has got to be a professional footballer is just outstanding and self-driven.
“He’s more than ready.”
In a major boost, in-form goalkicker Jake Waterman returns from a shoulder injury after missing the St Kilda defeat.
“He did it last Thursday so it was just too close to play. It was a six-day injury,” Simpson said.
“He’s close to 100 per cent and trained fully Wednesday. If there was any pain there it would be gone by the weekend, so he’s good to go.”
Simpson was extremely wary of the winless Roos, who are coming off the bye and pushed West Coast all the way in a five-point thriller last season at Optus Stadium.
“Our best we think is good enough, but I reckon North are saying the same against us,” Simpson said.
“We’re full on ready for a pretty big battle. We’re not in a position to take anything lightly and North on their day can play some really good footy.”
